India and Europe in the 18 Century · India and Europe in the 18th Century Europeans in India •...
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4/20/12 1 India and Europe in the 18 th Century Europeans in India • first European powers in South Asia – Alexander the Great (4 th century BCE) • Major incursions in early 17 th century – Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, French, English • Portuguese – established fist European trading center in Kollam (Kerala) in 1502 – they established a chain of outposts along western coast of India in 16 th century The British in India: Basic Structure (see Ludden, pp. 127-138) • Phase 1: 1600-1740 – East India Company’s initial trade activities with Mughals and other states – trade competition with other European powers (Dutch, French) • Phase 2: 1740-1792 – military action, against French and Indian states – Robert Clive takes over Bengal in 1757 – increased profits derived from revenue from taxation • Phase 3: 1792-1848 – other European powers ejected – East India Company expands out of Bengal – increased profits, more local exploitation – remnants of Mughal Empire and Marathas begin to collapse East India Company • founded in 1600 • was a joint-stock enterprise • granted a monopoly by British government on Britain’s Asia trade • initial operations were financed by bullion from England • in 17 th century, imported indigo, saltpetre, hand-loomed Indian textiles (chintz, calico, muslin)
Transcript of India and Europe in the 18 Century · India and Europe in the 18th Century Europeans in India •...
4/20/12
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India and Europe in the 18th Century
Europeans in India • first European powers in
South Asia – Alexander the Great (4th
century BCE) • Major incursions in early
17th century – Portuguese, Dutch, Danish,
French, English • Portuguese
– established fist European trading center in Kollam (Kerala) in 1502
– they established a chain of outposts along western coast of India in 16th century
The British in India: Basic Structure (see Ludden, pp. 127-138)
• Phase 1: 1600-1740 – East India Company’s initial trade activities with Mughals and other
states – trade competition with other European powers (Dutch, French)
• Phase 2: 1740-1792 – military action, against French and Indian states – Robert Clive takes over Bengal in 1757 – increased profits derived from revenue from taxation
• Phase 3: 1792-1848 – other European powers ejected – East India Company expands out of Bengal – increased profits, more local exploitation – remnants of Mughal Empire and Marathas begin to collapse
East India Company • founded in 1600 • was a joint-stock enterprise • granted a monopoly by British
government on Britain’s Asia trade
• initial operations were financed by bullion from England
• in 17th century, imported indigo, saltpetre, hand-loomed Indian textiles (chintz, calico, muslin)
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Features of East India Company’s Early Trade • Mughal Empire allowed company to trade
– established “factories” – initially dependent on the Empire – increasing conflict with the French
• EIC’s facilities came under attack in late 17th century – began arming themselves – outmaneuvered Mughals and Marathas in Madras,
Bombay, Calcutta
Turning Points • War of Austrian Succession in
Europe (1740-1748) – war over Hapsburg succession
(Maria Theresa) – Britain and France in conflict
• In India, French governor general was François Dupleix – what was his strategy in India? – p. 49
• reading by Ananda Ranga Pillai • Why did the French decline?
– p. 50
The Conquest of Bengal • centrality of Calcutta and
Dacca – quote: p. 51
• by 1750s, EIC company systematically abusing right to free trade
• Nawab Siraj-ud-daula saw this as a challenge
• defeated EIC in 1756 – “Black Hole of Calcutta”
• Robert Clive strikes back
Robert Clive • takes back Calcutta in
February 1757 – Battle of Plassey
• helped by merchant bankers (Jagath Seth)
• installs Mir Zafar • how did EIC conduct its
operations from then on? – p. 52
• turning point in presence of British in India
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• How did the East India Company win?
The East Offering Its Riches to Britannia (1778)
